It's amazing how big an impact life can have on training. A third child. A busy schedule. A busted up foot. And months of no training.

Fortunately, I wasn't raised to make excuses. I trained for and completed an Ironman with two children. I've always had a bush schedule. I've dealt with injuries. It took a while, but I hit that point of absolutely HAVING to get back at it. And back at it hard.

It's ironic that last Saturday I made the decision that training had to once again become a priority in my life. Because on Monday I was on the phone to discuss options for helping a friend who had a leg amputated after some medical challenges. Who do you call when you need to discuss training by amputees?

I had the opportunity to meet Scott at a meeting of the Fox Cities Triathlon Club. I was able to contact him and then get together on the phone. One point that Scott stressed repeatedly was that MY excitement about getting my friend running didn't matter. MY plans were nearly irrelevant. If the lifestyle wasn't there, nothing I did would last.

Basically, if physical fitness wasn't already a priority, simply finding a way to get a running leg wouldn't suddenly make it a priority. "What is he doing, now," was the recurring question. That led me back to myself.

I have a new baby. So why not ride on the trainer?I have a busy schedule. So why not combine training with other events?I have a banged up foot. So why not get into the pool, where the foot doesn't matter?

That was the decision I made, Saturday. My kids are asleep at 4:30 in the morning. My schedule is usually pretty open. And I don't have to worry about a sore foot when swimming.

September is going to have one focus. Swim. Every day possible. And even a few of those that aren't possible.

Just who is this Iron Pol?

A former out of shape sailor, who became a marathoner, then a triathlete, Ironman, and ultramarathoner. Now, life has pushed me into short track speed skating. More important than the titles is the lifestyle, and sharing it with others.